Miraz deserves chance in T20 squad, says Mahmudullah

Bangladesh were in a spot of bother following a few injuries to members of the T20I and ODI side. Mohammad Saifuddin and Yasir Ali had been ruled out of the tour but will be replaced in the T20I and ODI side by familiar names.

BCB said in a press release yesterday that although Saifuddin has recovered from his injury, he is yet to gain 'optimal bowling fitness.'

Yasir Ali, who was ruled out from the white-ball series in West Indies due to a back injury, will be replaced by Mehedi Hasan Miraz in the T20I side. Miraz last played in the T20I format in 2018.

''We have decided to include Mehedi in place of Yasir,'' BCB chief selector Minhajul Abedin told reporters on Thursday.

Taskin Ahmed was also slated to be named in the T20I squad but the announcement has not been made. It was learned that Taskin will come in as Saifuddin's replacement in the T20I side. Meanwhile, Ebadot Hossain will replace Saifuddin in the ODI squad.

"I think Miraj deserves it (a place in the T20's) and he is performing really well. He performed really well in the last BPL so I am very happy that Miraz is in the squad," T20I skipper Mahmudullah Riyad said at the airport today before leaving for West Indies.